Fitting for pipe lines



Nov. 30, 1948. L. s. HAMER FITTING FOR PIPE LINES Filed Dec. 4, 1944Patented Nov. 30, 1948 FITTING FOR PIPE LINES Leland S. Hamer, LongBeach, Calif., asslgnor of A. Dewhirst, Los Angeles,

one-fourth to Paul Calif.

Application December 4, 1944, Serial No; 566,616

' 9 Claims. (Cl. 138-44) 1 This invention has to do with a fitting forpipe lines and the like, and more specifically relates to a structuresuitable for use as a line blind or as an orifice fitting. It is ageneral object of the present invention to provide a simplified,effective and inexpensive device of the general character referred to.

There are numerous situations where it is desired to apply a plate suchas a blinding plate or an orifice plate to a conduit. Such situationsusually occur in pipe lines and the device used for handling the plateis commonly in the nature of a pipe line fitting. In describing thepresent invention I will refer to it as a pipe line fitting although itmay be used in connection with elements or structures other than a pipeline. The structure of the present invention is, in fact, usefulgenerally where it is desired to provide a blinding plate or an orificeplate to control fluid.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a pipe linefitting for handlin a plate such as an orifice plate or a blindingplate, which fitting involves few simple, inexpensive parts.

It is another object of the invention to provide a fitting of thegeneral character referred to which is extremely simple and convenientto operate. The device of the present invention is such that the severalparts can be readily assembled or dismantled and. the fitting as a wholecan be easily operated by means of a simple wrench or bar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fitting of thecharacter referred to in which the parts that require machining are fewin number and are such that the machining operations are simple and easyto perform.

It is another object of this invention to provide a pipe line fitting ofthe character referred to which is neat and compact. The device that Ihave provided does not project appreciably from the pipe line in whichit is connected. In fact, it is little larger or more bulky than anordinary fiange connection such as is common in pipe lines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fitting of the generalcharacter referred to in which the plate or plates carried by the deviceare attached to the fitting so that they will not, under ordinarycircumstances, become separated therefrom.

Another object of the provide a fitting of the general characterreferred to in which the plate or plates employed in the fitting can beattached to the fitting at various points around it, making the fittingconvenient for use in various restricted locations.

present invention is to The various objects and features of my inventionwill be fully understood from the following detailed description oftypical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughoutwhich description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the fitting providedby the present invention showing it connected in a pipe line. Fig. 2 isan end view of the structure being a view taken as indicated by line 2-2on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1.Fig. 4 is a face view of a form of plate that can be used showing theplate separate from the other parts, and Fig. 5 is an end view of thefitting showing the'plate illustrated in Fig. 4 in an intermediateposition where both ends are out from between the body sections.

The fitting embodying the present invention is useful, generally, forhandling or controlling fluids and since its most common use is in apipe line which handles fluids I will describe it as a pipe line fittingand I have, in the drawings, shown it connected in a pipe line. In Fig.1 of the drawings I have shown the fitting of the present inventionconnected between two aligned pipes P. In the drawings I have shown thefitting joined to the pipe line by means of welding W. It is to beunderstood, of course, that any suitable connection or means of joindermay be employed for connecting the fitting to the pipes or otherelements to which the fitting is to be joined.

The fitting embodying the present invention involves, generally, twomain or body sections it and il, one or more plates l2 to be arrangedbetween the body sections, and tie means l3 for joining or coupling thebody sections and operable to tighten the body sections into the plate.

The structure involves various additional elements and structuralfeatures, all of which will appear from the following description.

The sections Ill and II which form the principal parts of the fittingmay be, in fact, preferably are, alike in form and construction and areadapted to be connected to the pipes P so that they are in opposedrelation one to the other.

In accordance with my invention each of the principal sections of thefitting involves a central tubular part I5 the outer end of which isadapted to be joined to a pipe P as by welding W, or the like, while itsinner end is somewhat enlarged and presents a finished fiat face It tooppose or bear against one side of the plate I2. The opening ll providedthrough the tubular section i5 is preferably shaped and proportioned toforce the fitting section generally and serves as a means to carry orsupportthe tie means l3. In accordance with the preferred form of theinvention the flange 9 is spaced 'or removed somewhat inward from theinner end face |6 of the section so that when the main sections of thefitting are in operating position at opposite sides of a plate. l2 thereis a space S between the flanges of the two sections sufficient toaccommodate two or more plates 2.

In accordance with my invention the flange i9 is fashioned to receive oraccommodate the means l3. The means I3 as I will describe, involves aplurality of like tie devices adapted to be spaced around the fittingand, therefore, flange I9 is provided at suitable intervals or pointswith openings to accommodate the means l3. In the preferred form of theinvention I provide three units of the means l3 and therefore providethree notch-shaped openings in the outer or peripheral portion of theflange I9. The notches are radially disposed outwardly opening notchesspacedequally around the flange. ferred construction the flange hasprojections or ears 2| at the notched portions projecting radiallybeyond the normal periphery 22 of the flange. The ears, in effect,extend the notches to give them the desired depth.

Each unit of the tie means l3 preferably involves, generally, a bolt anda nut 3|. These parts are applied to the flanges of the main sections l3and H so that the bolt is carried by one section While the nut iscarried by-the other section. The arrangement is reversible, that is,the parts can be rearranged so the nut is carried by either section. Inthe case illustrated the bolt is carried by the section I I while thenut is carried by the section lfl. In accordance with my invention thenut and bolt of each tie means is designed to be carried or accommodatedby notches in the flanges of the main sections.

The bolt 30 of each unit of the means l3 includes, generally, a head 32,a shank 33 projecting from the head, flanges 33 and at the ends of theshank and an extension 35 projecting from the outer end of the shank andhaving its outer end portion threaded at 31 to be received in nut 3|.

The head 32 of the bolt may, in practice, be shaped or designed to beengaged by a wrench or suitable operating tool. In the case illustratedI have shown a head designed with several openings 60 spaced around theaxis of the bolt and designed to accommodate an operating bar or thelike.

The shank 33 of the bolt is preferably a turned part proportioned toslidably fit into a notch 28 in a flange IS. The flanges 34 and 35 ateither end of the shank 33 are adapted to be accommodated in recesses 4|provided at opposite sides of the flange adjoining the notch 28. Theflanges 34 and 35 are turned concentric with the shank 33 and fit therecesses 4| in the two sides of the ears 2| so that the bolt 30 is heldin the flange against axial movement but is free to rotate, thediameters of the flanges 34 and 35 being such as to fltbetween the sidesof the recesses 4| with enough clearance to allow forfree rotation.

In the pre- The extension 36 of the bolt is a turned part concentricwith the shank 33 and is adapted to extend across the opening S betweenthe two flanges l9 and has its outer end portion threaded to beaccommodated in the nut 3|.

The nut 3| has a central or body portion corresponding in size and shapeto the shank 33 of the bolt and adapted to be received in a notch in aflange H! or in an ear 2| of a flange l9. In addition to the body part50 the nut has two end flanges 5| which project radially beyond theperiphery of the body part which flanges are polygonal or have flatsides designed to bear against the walls of the recesses il so that thenut is held against turning in the notch. In the preferred form of theinvention the flanges 5| are hexagonal in shape so that opposite sideswill slidably flt opposed walls of the recesses 4| while two adjoiningsides fit against or bear in flat sides 53 at the bottom of the recesses4|. It will be observed from an examination of Fig. 3 how the bottoms-ofthe recesses have their flat sides 53 formed at angles to fit theperipheral contour of the nut flanges 5 I.

In accordance with my invention I prefer to provide means for retainingthe bolts and nuts 30 and 3| in the notches of the flanges |9 so thatthese parts are not free to he accidentally dislodged. To secure theparts of the means l3 in the notches I prefer to provide keys to extendbetween the outer end portions of the ears 2| or across the outerportions of the notches to close the notches. In practice I flnd itadvantageous to use cotter keys as I have shown throughout the drawings.It will be readily understood that cotter keys arranged as I have shownare effective in retaining the nuts and bolts in the notches providedinthe flanges l9 and yet they can be readily manipulated so that theycan be withdrawn allowing the nuts and bolts to be removed wheneverdesired.

In practice I prefer to provide means for lubricating the threadedconnection provided between the nut 3| and the bolt 30. To effect suchlubrication I may provide a longitudinal port 6| in the bolt from theouter end of the extension 36, radial distributing ports 62 adjoiningthe inner portion of port 6|, and a lubricant fltting 63 atthe outer endof the port 6|. With this construction a suitable lubricant can bereadily supplied to the ports 6| and 62 so that it enters the threads ofthe bolt and nut.

In carrying out my invention I may employ one or more plates I! ascircumstances require. In Figs. 1 to 3 I have shown the device fittedwith two plates, a plate A which is a blinding plate, and a plate Bwhich has an opening 10 through it to allow full opening through thefitting. In practice I prefer to arrange one plate at a time between thesections In and H so that it is clamped between the opposing end facesI6 of the two sections of the fitting. In the drawings 1 have shown theblinding plate l2 in operating position between the two main sections ofthe fitting and I have shown the apertured plate B out of operatingposition. In accordance with my invention I provide each plate with amounting arm 12 which arm has an opening 15 proportioned to pass theextension 36 of a bolt 30. The arms are proportioned and the openings 15are so located in the arms that when the plates are carried on a bolt,as shown in the drawings, the plates are free to be swung into operatingposition between the faces Hi. In the case of the apertured plate B theparts are proportioned so that when this plate is swung into operatingposition the aperture l therein is concentric with or registers with theopenings ll through the main sections of the fitting.

In Figs. 1 to 3 I have shown two plates carried on one bolt 30, that is,I have shown the arm one fitting, so that any one can be readily movedinto operating position between the main sections l0 and H of thefitting. In accordance with the preferred form of my invention I providemeans for sealing between the main sections iii and H and a platearranged between the sections. The

sealing means may, in practice, vary widely with operating conditionsthat are to be met. In the drawings I have shown a simple arrangementwherein channels 80 are provided in the end faces E6 of the mainsections and packing rings 8| are arranged in the channels so thatpacking normally projectsfrom the ends of the main sections in a mannerto engage and be pressed tightly against a plate l2 when the sectionsare made tight onto the plate.

In using the device of the present invention it is secured in a pipeline or to other parts in a manner such as is shown in the drawings.plate or plates to be used in the fitting are assembled therewith on oneor more of the bolts and the bolts and nuts of the means i3 are arrangedin place and made secure by the keys 60. By operating the bolts the mainsections it and H can be moved apart to readily receive a plate The i2which may be any one of the several plates I selected for use. When aplate is in place between the main sections the bolts 30 can be operatedso that the main sections are drawn together in a manner to tightlyclamp the plate l2 between them. By mere manipulation of the severalbolts the main sections of the fitting can be tightened or released asdesired,.making it possible to manipulate the plates 82 in any desiredmanner. In practice the structure is such that the individual units ofthe means it can be detached from the other parts whenever desired,making it possible to connect the plate or plates l2 in the fitting atany desired point around the fitting, as circumstances may require.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 two plates A and B are joined by asingle arm 12. Plate A is a blinding plate and plate 3' is shown as anorifice plate. The plates are at opposite ends of the single arm and theopening 85 in arm 12 is in the form of a slot allowing lengthwisemovement of the arm relative to its supporting bolt so the unit formedby the two plates can be readily turned end for end. Either one or theother of the plates can be arranged in position between the bodysections and when one is in working position the other projects from thebody sections so the operator knows which plate is working. In Fig. 5the unit formed by the plates is shown in a position through which itpasses in the course of moving one plate in and the other out.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restrictd to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear -to those skilled in the art and fallwithin the a plate to be arranged between the sections, and

means tying the sections together including, a bolt carried-directly inthe notch in the flange of one section and a nut receiving the bolt andcarried in the notch in the flange of the other section.

2. A fitting of the character described including, two opposedrelatively movable sections each having a tubular part and a notchedflange on the tubular part, a plate to be arranged between the sections,and means drawing the sections together to clamp the sections onto theplate including, a bolt carried directly in the notch in the flange ofone section and a nut receiving the bolt and carried in the notch in theflange of the other section, the plate having an extension with anopening passing the bolt, the bolt when held by the unit acting tocouple the plateto the body sections against separation therefrom.

3. A fitting of the character described including, two opposed sectionseach having a tubular part and a notched flange on the tubular part, aplate to be arranged between the sections, and meanstying the sectionstogether including, a bolt carried directly in the notch in the flangeof one section, a nut receiving the bolt and carried directly in thenotch in the flange of the other section, and means retaining the boltand nut in the notches.

4. A fitting of the character described including, two opposed sectionseach having a tubular part and a notched flange on the tubular part, aplate to be arranged between the sections, and

means tying the sections together including, a

bolt carried directly in the notch in the flange of one section and anut receiving the bolt and carried in the notch in the flange of theother section, the bolt having a part slidably fitting the notch andhaving flanges at the ends of said part holding the bolt against axialmovement.

5. A fitting of the character described including, two opposed sectionseach having a tubular part and a notched flange on the tubular part, aplate to be arranged between the sections, and means tying the sectionstogether including, a bolt carried directly in the notch in the flangeof one section and a nut receiving the bolt and carried in the notch inthe flange of the other section, the bolt having a part slidably fittingthe notch and having flanges at the ends of said part holding the boltagainst axial movement, the nut having a body slidably fitting the notchand having end flanges engaging the flange of said other section to holdthe nut against axial at one end of the shank and a threaded extensionat the other end of the shank.

'7. A fitting of the character described including, two opposed sectionseach having a tubular part and a notched flange on the tubular part, thenotches in the flange being opposite each other, bolts rotatably carriedin the notches in one flange, nuts held against rotation in the notchesof the other flange and receiving the bolts, and a plurality of separateplates to be arranged between the sections, each plate having aprojecting part with an opening passing a bolt for turning movement ofthe plate around the bolt.

8. A fitting of the character described including, two opposed sectionseach having a tubular part and a notched flange on the tubular part, thenotches in the flanges being opposite each other, bolts rotatablycarried in the notches in one flange, nuts held against rotation in thenotches of the other flange and receiving the bolts, and a plurality ofseparate independently shiftable plates to be arranged between thesections, each plate having a. projecting part at the exterior of thefitting with an opening passing one of the bolts so all of the platesare retained by one bolt, said plates being supported by said bolt forindependent rotation about the bolt.

9. A fitting of the character described including, two opposedrelatively movable sections each having a tubular part and a notchedflange on the tubular part, a plate unit to be arranged between thesections, and clamp means tying the sections together and acting toclamp the sections to the plate and including, a bolt carried directlyin the notch in the flange of one section and a nut receiving the boltand carried directly in the notch in the flange of the other section,the plate unit including an arm with an opening to pass one of the boltsand a plate at each end of the arm, the plate unit being rotatablycarried by the said bolt when the said bolt is engaged between the twosections so the arm can be manipulated around on the bolt to bringeither plate between the sections.

LELAND S. HAMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

